On Constitutional Amendment Proposals by Kim Moonsoo and Lee Jaemyung: "Qualifications Come First"
"Must Stand Firm Even Before Trump... Fandom Is Not Enough"
"Break the Democratic Party's Monopoly for the Spirit of May and Regional Development"
Reform New Party presidential candidate Junseok Lee stated regarding his constitutional amendment pledge, "When it comes to constitutional reform, the person is more important." This was his response to Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party and Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party of Korea, who each mentioned a constitutional amendment to introduce a four-year presidential term with the possibility of re-election.
On the afternoon of May 19, after visiting the site of the Kumho Tire Gwangju plant fire in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, Lee spoke with reporters and said, "Yoon Sukyeol did not become president because of the current five-year single-term system, nor would he have because of a four-year double-term system. Please evaluate the qualifications of the presidential candidates." He added, "I will reveal my stance on constitutional reform during the political debate on the 27th."
Targeting Lee Jaemyung, Lee said, "At the very least, to represent the Republic of Korea, you must be able to advocate for Korea's interests even in front of someone like U.S. President Trump. A person who rallies a fandom cannot lead Korea in the right direction," criticizing Lee Jaemyung.
Reform New Party presidential candidate Junseok Lee is receiving a briefing from fire officials at the Kumho Tire Gwangju plant fire site in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju on the afternoon of the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News
Regarding Lee Jaemyung's recruitment of figures such as former lawmaker Kim Yongnam, who is from the Reform New Party, Lee said, "Those who joined with objectives such as securing proportional representation nominations have now taken a divergent path. Gathering such individuals and claiming to embrace conservatism is meaningless. That is not a future-oriented conservatism," drawing a clear line.
He then explained the background for his three-day intensive campaign in Gwangju, saying, "Lee Jaemyung said in North Gyeongsang Province that 'no party should monopolize power for too long.' If that is true, then it is time for Jeolla Province to diversify its political investments. I am the right person, as I have taken a clear stance in support of martial law and impeachment, and have demonstrated a strong commitment to the spirit of the 5·18 Democratization Movement and the development of Gwangju."
He also appealed, "Many people disparage Gwangju, saying 'Gwangju never changes.' I ask the citizens of Gwangju to show that this time is different. If the Democratic Party has taken Gwangju's votes for granted, please say that this time it will not be the case."
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